Sermon Notes "Living in the Presence of God"

I received this card yesterday from a dear person at church.

It blessed my heart so much, I wanted to share it with you.

It speaks volumes to me today as I ponder 

"the whispers of my heart"...and place my trust in the Lord, Who will direct my paths in accordance with His divine plan and will. I believe that with my whole heart...and now I just need to be patient and wait on Him to reveal His plan and see how it coincides with the "whispers" of my heart.

That really doesn't have anything to do with the sermon notes from yesterday's service, and yet, in a way it does.  The title of the sermon was "Living in the Presence of God"...and that is where I am, whether I realize it or not...I am always living in His Presence...and that is where I want to be.

The message was taken from Luke 21:1-4

1.  "And He looked up and saw the rich putting their gifts into the treasury,

2.  and He saw also a certain poor widow putting in two mites.

3.  So he said, 'Truly I say to you that this poor widow has put in more than all;

4.  for all these out of their abundance have put in offerings for God, but she out of her poverty put in all the livelihood that she had.'"

Jesus liked to watch people.  In this passage Jesus was watching those who were rich in material goods giving their gifts to the temple...and then He watched as a poor widow came along and put in her two mites, which was a pittance compared to what the others were giving. 

But Jesus was excited as He saw what she gave.  It is almost like He said, "Wow! She gave ALL that she had!"  He knew that because she was a widow, to give her two mites was a great sacrifice. But she gave it willingly and with joy in her heart.  Why?  Because she had learned to trust in God and God alone for all her needs. She didn't have a husband any longer to provide for her. 

This widow was a  "near perfect model" of one who depends solely on God. She had spiritual wealth that most people don't have.  She knew the secret that many are still yearning to learn...

• My love of Christ Jesus defines who I am...not my clothes, things, home, wealth
• My identity is based on a true relationship with God
• "The last shall be first and the first shall be last

What is it that defines YOU? (Me?) Is it job, status, looks, car, house, how rich or poor?

Are you consumed with the desire to keep up with others...If so, you will never find peace and true happiness in this world.

We are created to be in a relationship with Jesus Christ...restored to God through Christ.

We often fall for the delusion that because we have money in the bank we think we are safe...

But only when we rely on Christ are we truly safe and happy.

God is our strength and identity and security...

The Apostle Paul said (2 Corinthians 12:9-11) that "when I am weak then I am strong".  Because he had a relationship with God through Christ.

The widow was the "richest person" in the temple that day....She gave ALL that she had.

• Have WE given Jesus ALL that we have?
• Is our identity shaped by our walk with Christ?
• Are we free from the pull of this world?

When the widow gave all that she had, she was free.

We closed the service with the song "Take My Life and Let It Be Consecrated Lord to Thee"

Here is a group gathered around a piano singing this song...it says it is the "Keaton Reunion". I don't know who that is, but I love this song and the way they sang it together. What a blessing. Won't you sing it with us?

Take my life, and let it be
Consecrated, Lord, to Thee;
Take my moments and my days,
Let them flow in ceaseless praise,
Let them flow in ceaseless praise.

2

Take my hands, and let them move
At the impulse of Thy love;
Take my feet and let them be
Swift and beautiful for Thee,
Swift and beautiful for Thee.

3

Take my voice, and let me sing
Always, only, for my King;
Take my lips, and let them be
Filled with messages from Thee,
Filled with messages from Thee.

4

Take my silver and my gold;
Not a mite would I withhold;
Take my intellect, and use
Every power as Thou shalt choose,
Every power as Thou shalt choose.

5

Take my will, and make it Thine;
It shall be no longer mine.
Take my heart; it is Thine own;
It shall be Thy royal throne,
It shall be Thy royal throne.

6

Take my love; my Lord, I pour
At Thy feet its treasure-store.
Take myself, and I will be
Ever, only, all for Thee,
Ever, only, all for Thee.

This is my prayer today and every day.  As I listen to the "whispers of my heart", I know that as I live in the presence of God, I want my life to always be "Consecrated, Lord to Thee".  I pray that when the day comes that I am like that "poor widow" described in Luke 21, may I be willing and pleased to give my only two mites for the Lord's service and kingdom.  Amen.

Please Note : I want to repeat this disclaimer here...the notes, outline, and content included here are based upon my own personal understanding of the message that was being given.  I am not attempting to completely quote or reproduce this message or any other message I've shared previously.  Just as each person reading these notes may glean insights and thoughts that seem to directly apply to one's own situation and interpretation, my own delivery of these messages is skewed by my hearing and translation of what is being said.  Some may read my notes here and wonder if they were hearing the same message as I...and I say, God speaks to each of us as He wills...there are things He is trying to get across to each individual that may be entirely different than what the person sitting next to you in the pew is needing to hear...  That is how the Holy Spirit works! He knows what we need to hear and how to apply it to our hearts.  So it is with that understanding that I present these sermon notes to you.

 

Sermon Notes from FUMC, Interlachen, FL, Pastor A.C. Myers, 9/23/2018